Special direct service Sounder trains from Everett to the Puyallup Fair

You can do it at a trot, you can do it at a gallop, but it's more comfortable to take the train.

Sounder trains will serve fairgoers straight from Everett to Puyallup two Saturdays this year with free shuttle service between Puyallup Station and the fairgrounds - and remember that those trains have a regular stop in Edmonds.

Sound Transit will operate its popular special event Sounder service on Sept. 13 and 20 for people attending the Washington State Fair, making it extra easy for Puget Sound residents to "Do the Puyallup!" and avoid gas and parking costs. The Fair is also providing free shuttle service between Puyallup Station and the fairgrounds for all Sounder riders.

For the first time since operating Sounder trains to the Fair, Sound Transit is providing direct service for Snohomish County residents - including the Edmonds station.

Riders can skip lines and save up to 25 percent on train and fair tickets by buying a Sounder Train Express Pack in advance at thefair.com. Express Packs include a round-trip train fare and State Fair admission, and are only sold online. Price is based on boarding location.

And remember that a young man from Shoreline, Peet Montzingo, will be performing on opening day with the new boy band ZeroGravity (see previous story).

Train schedule

Two Sounder trains will take riders to the Fair. Two trains from Everett leave Edmonds at 9:22am and 10:57am., and arrive in Puyallup at 10:40am and 12:25pm, respectively.

The first return train leaves Puyallup for Seattle at 10:50am, with stops in Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila. Evening return trains to Snohomish stations depart Puyallup at 6:30pm and 8:00pm with stops in Sumner, Auburn, Kent, Tukwila, Seattle, Edmonds, Mukilteo and Everett.

Tickets

To purchase Express Packet tickets, riders can go to the webpage, select "Buy North Pack" or "Buy South Pack," and follow the screen prompts. Tickets purchased online can be printed at home.

Riders also have the option of using their ORCA cards, or buying train tickets at the stations. Tickets at Snohomish County Sounder stations go on sale starting Sept. 1. The adult fare direct service from Edmonds is $4.25.

As with all Sound Transit services, fares are discounted for children, seniors and people with disabilities.

More information on special Sounder train service to the fair is available here. 

State Fair hours, admission fees and other information can be found at their webpage. Remember that a Shoreline native will be performing on opening day of the fair (see previous article).

Regular fares will apply for all Sound Transit services. ORCA and all standing transit passes will be accepted. Getting an ORCA card is a great way to skip lines at ticket vending machines. Cards cost $5 for adults, plus whatever amount a rider chooses to load in the card's E-Purse or the cost of a pass that is good for unlimited transit trips. ORCA works on trains, buses and ferries throughout the region. More information is available here.